Chromatography

What is Chromatography?

Chromatography is a selective physical method to separate compounds in solution, that is used in many different fields of science.

In the case of Soil Chromatography, the result is a ‘photo’ of the soil which gives us useful information about soil quality.

How do we use it?

Soil chromatography is a technique to assess the quality of the soil, which is easy to replicate and understand by farmers.

Chromatography can be used at the same time with other soil analysis (mineral, organic matter or biological test) with the objective to integrate several results, gathering a high level of understanding of soil in our farm, plot or backyard.

Chromatography can be used to assess the quality of compost, biofertilisers, amendments, fruit, vegetables, seeds, plant tissues and other applications.

How it works

Chromatography understands the soil as a being alive, in other words it is an unfinished process with elements working and living in symbiosis. Therefore the final result is a qualitative view of these processes and elements rather than a quantative one.

Chromatography gives you valuable information such as soil structure, general health of soil, minerals available for the plant, biological diversity, or organic matter content and humus available. It also assess the fertility of the soil through the integration of previous elements. 

  • Weekend Practical Biofertiliser & Fermenting Course

    with Juanfran Lopez at Ragmans Lane Farm 

    5-6th March 2022

    A chance to learn how to regenerate farm and garden systems using home produced Biofertiliser, Native micro organisms, Aerobic and Anaerobic compost teas.

    The weekend will be practically orientated and there will be a chance to discuss and learn principles, objectives and strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.

    Over the course of the weekend we will be collecting native microbes to make cheap but effective natural fertilisers and tonics for the plant and soil.

    The course will cover:-

    * understanding holistic system health

    * microbes, ferments and fertilisers

    * plant health and mineral brews

    * hydrolates, seed coating and lactobacillus

    By the end of the weekend you will have the practical knowledge to make your own preparations at home, and a ‘starter kit’ of resources to take home with you including a fresh and mature batch of native microbes and biofertiliser for diluted use.

    "Good mix between technical and practical, science and simple!"

    Juanfran Lopez has studied with the Columbian Jairo Restrepo, one of the leading teachers of microbial preparations for healthy biological systems. Juanfran has also travelled through South America, Africa and Spain specializing in regenerative agriculture, learning and teaching as he travels. He was based at Ragmans researching and running trials on our orchards and garden. He is now studying for a PhD at Madrid University.

    For further information - Click here for Juanfran's website.

    Who should attend: Farmers, gardeners and small scale growers.

    "Great all round picture of soil biology to support understanding of practices"

    "Great environment with practical demonstrations, as well as academic. Enjoyed it and learnt loads"

    "Can't wait to get started"

    Food and Accommodation included.

    Saturday arrivals 9.30am, course commences at 10am until 5pm

    Sunday 9.30am until approx 4pm.

    For further information on making biofertilisers do have a read of our article "Make your own Biofertiliser" published in the Permaculture Magazine.

    For more information about our Soil research work please see this blog article published on the Soil Association website

    See the side bar for information on Juanfran's book 'The Biofertiliser Manual'.


    £250.00

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